You’ve enjoyed a fantastic 2025 season with several standout performances – what moments or results are you most proud of, and what do you think has been the key to your strong form this year?
NM: I think 2025 has been the best year of my career. The moment I’m most proud of is my win in the Rolex Grand Prix at the Brussels Stephex Masters – it meant so much to everyone who was there with me. I was surrounded by the Rein family, my father, close friends, and so many people who have helped me reach this point. Having them all there when I won made it incredibly special. I love making the people who have done so much for me proud; working hard and performing well is my way of saying thank you to them. I was also really happy that Dynastie won a 5* Grand Prix. She’s incredible – she learned so much this past year, and she really deserved that win. Her breeder, Éric Levallois, was there in Brussels when we won, which made it even more special. I think he was very proud of her.
This season was simply the result of the incredible team of horses and people around me. My horses are exceptional, thanks to the Rein family’s trust in me. And my team – including my trainer, Helena Stormanns, and my grooms, who are truly the best – supports me every step of the way. The Rein family are amazing; they are there for me in both the good and the difficult moments, and that means a lot. Everyone around me is always pushing me to do well, so this season is thanks to my incredible horses and the fantastic support of my whole team.
Who or what first inspired you to pursue show jumping as a career?
NM: At first, it was simply my love for horses – I just loved being around them. My father, who has always been passionate about horses, played a big part, too. When I was born, he already had a horse at home, not for sport but purely out of love for the animal. I then joined pony club, and every week I couldn’t wait to go so I could ride the ponies and horses. I’ve always adored animals.
As I started competing, something clicked. The sport, the atmosphere, and the feeling competing gave me were incredibly special. My dad supported me as much as he possibly could. Even though it wasn’t his job, he trained me until I turned 18. He spent so much time helping me, driving me to shows nearly every weekend, and backing every decision I made – we were doing everything together and he still follows me as much as he can. I am very grateful for everything he has done for me. I was also lucky to meet great people who trusted me and gave me ponies and horses to ride. Thanks to them, I had the opportunity to be part of the French teams for Children and Juniors, which opened doors to higher levels and disciplines of the sport. I competed in the European Championships for Children, Juniors, and Young Riders, and those experiences made me want to keep progressing.
Growing up, we would watch Equidia in France every Sunday to see that week’s 5* Grand Prix. Watching the world’s best riders on incredible horses felt like a dream and this inspired me so much – reaching that level is something I’ve always wanted. I idolised Pénélope Leprévost and Kevin Staut because they were French and we cheered for them, but I also admired many other great riders, like Scott Brash, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Beezie Madden.
Please tell us more about your current top horses and their form, particularly Dynastie de Beaufour, Nikka VD Bisschop, and My Clementine – their personalities and quirks, their individual strengths, and what makes your partnership with them work so well…
NM: All three are incredible mares who truly love their job, each with a big personality in the best possible way. I love being close to my horses, especially on the ground, and I feel I connect well with each of them – that relationship is so important. While they’re different, they also share a lot of similarities.
Dynastie is incredibly smart – she seems to understand everything you ask of her and is happy to do whatever is needed, but she needs to trust you. She always knows when it’s a big occasion: she lights up at Rolex shows like La Baule, Aachen, or Dinard. I can feel her grow underneath me, as if she loves the atmosphere and the attention. The only time she doesn’t want me near her is when she’s eating – that’s her moment alone!
Nikka is unbelievably brave and scopey, and nothing seems to faze her. In the stables, she’s always happy to see you – she is easy with everything. She has so much experience and has achieved so much already, and she gives me a real sense of security.
Clementine is the most delicate of the three – she’s more sensitive and needs to trust you. She’s incredibly sweet and smart but can be startled by loud noises, yet the moment she’s in the ring she becomes fearless – she is very competitive. She’s a small horse compared to Dynastie and Nikka, and she may have less scope, but she’s a real fighter – she impresses me so much.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping represents the pinnacle of the sport. What does it mean to you personally, and how do you approach competing at this level?
NM: The Rolex Grand Slam means a great deal to me. I’ve always dreamed of riding in the rings at Aachen and Calgary, and this year I was lucky enough to do both. If you had told me one or two years ago that I’d be competing at these shows, I wouldn’t have believed it. They’re truly the dream in our sport – almost mystical. Thanks to my incredible horses and team, we were able to perform well there, which made the experiences even more special. It really was a dream come true, and I hope I can return, because competing at those events is one of the best feelings in horse sport. I enjoyed every second.
How do you see your role in inspiring the next generation of women in sport?
NM: It’s a difficult question because I don’t naturally see myself as someone who inspires others. But as I compete at bigger shows, more people are watching, and I hope I can inspire them the way Beezie and Meredith inspired me – they’re both incredible riders and women. If I can show how much passion it takes to reach this level, that would mean a lot. Ultimately, you must love what you do, stay committed, and take the opportunities that come your way. If that inspires someone, I’ll be very happy.
You’ve competed at some of the world’s most iconic venues, including Aachen and Spruce Meadows. As a rider, what makes these two venues so special for you?
NM: For me, it’s the whole package – these shows feel almost mystical, with so much history and such incredible atmospheres. When you pass through the in-gate and into the ring, you’re surrounded by thousands of people, and a clear round feels electric as the crowd lifts with you. It’s something truly special, and I feel so lucky to have horses that enjoy it, too. At the Rolex Majors, I can feel my horses growing to the occasion under me, feeding off the atmosphere. All the Rolex shows have the greatest crowds and the most memorable settings. They mean so much to so many riders – they’re simply the best shows in the sport.
Behind every great rider is a loyal, dedicated, and talented team. Tell us more about the people who support you day to day – from your groom, your trainers, and your family – and how their work contributes to your success in the ring…
NM: I couldn’t do any of this without my team. Everyone sees the riders and horses in the ring, but behind the scenes there are so many people working incredibly hard to make it all possible. My grooms, Quentin [LeSaint] and Clémence [Rességuier], are with my horses every hour of every day – they know them better than anyone. They can read exactly how they’re feeling and what they need, and that level of trust is invaluable. Nora (Krogsaeter) is also very important in our team. She helps me keep every horse in good condition. When I’m in Calgary for a week with two horses and need to be at another show the following week with different ones, she’s the one who works the rest of the horses at home. She knows all of them very well and understands what each one needs. We ride in a similar way, which helps a lot, and she plays a key role in keeping them all in great shape
Then there are the chiropractors, vets, and farriers, all working together to keep the horses feeling their best. It takes a whole team, and I’m very lucky to have people who genuinely care for the horses – that’s what matters most.
I’m also hugely grateful to Tara and Mark Rein, and to my trainer, Helena Stormanns. They support me, push me to improve, and in difficult moments they’re even more present. In a sport where we lose far more than we win, being surrounded by people who give you confidence is essential.
And of course, my family – they introduced me to horses and have always been in my corner. I feel incredibly fortunate to have such special people around me.
Away from show jumping, what are your other passions?
NM: I love sport in general – the atmosphere, the energy, everything it brings. I enjoy watching other sports, and in my free time I like to do fitness, especially Pilates, which strengthens my back and helps me feel balanced in the saddle. But what I love most away from the horses is simply spending time with my family and friends. That’s always what I value most.
Finally, as one of the exciting young talents in show jumping, what are your long-term goals and dreams – both within the Rolex Grand Slam and for your broader career?
NM: I want to keep improving and develop my horses as well as I can. Growing those partnerships and making the people around me proud really matters to me, because they do so much. I’d love to return to Aachen next year – it’s probably my favourite show, and competing in that ring is incredible.
Long-term, the Rolex Grand Slam is a dream for every rider. With Scott Brash still the only person to win it, achieving that would be truly special. One day, I’d also love to take part in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final and compete at CHI Geneva. But above all, I just want my horses to stay healthy and happy.
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